Lung ultrasound scores within the first 3 days of life to predict respiratory outcomes.

BACKROUND: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a rapid and simple method to evaluate preterm babies with respiratory distress. Lately, LUS has also been reported as an accurate predictor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the LUS scores within the first 3 days of life and respiratory outcomes including the need and the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, and development of BPD. METHODS: It was a retrospective observational study. Preterm infants younger than 32 weeks were included at an academic tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 2018 and 2023. LUS was performed within the first 3 days. Each lung was divided into three regions and defined as a score of 0 to 3 points; the total score was obtained by adding the six regional scores. LUS scores were noted in two groups as the highest and lowest scores. Statistical analyses were done to predict respiratory outcomes. RESULTS: Total 218 patients were enrolled; 40, 17, and 18 infants had mild, moderate, and severe BPD, respectively. BPD did not develop in 143 patients. Within the first 3 days, the highest and lowest LUS scores significantly predicted moderate-to-severe BPD (p < .001) (area under receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve, 0.684-0.913; area under ROC curve 0.647-0.902; respectively). High LUS scores were also related with the need of mechanical ventilation (p < .001). There was not a significant correlation between the duration of mechanical ventilation and the LUS scores. Regression analysis revealed that the highest LUS scores within the first 3 days of life, sepsis, and the presence of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) were significantly associated with the severity of BPD. CONCLUSIONS: In preterm babies, the LUS scores were useful to predict BPD and the need of invasive ventilation in long term. However, it was not related with the length of invasive ventilation.

Outcomes of newborns with tracheostomy: single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Babies with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are discharged with the support of a home-type mechanical ventilator, after opening a tracheostomy. In addition, although rare, tracheostomy is required in the neonatal period in congenital airway malformations. Early tracheostomy is appropriate to prevent complications due to prolonged intubation. We aimed to find the appropriate time for tracheostomy by examining the tracheostomy opening and closing times, complications and demographic characteristics of the patients, who were hospitalized and underwent tracheostomy in our neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: This retrospective study involved infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between January 2014 and 2019 and discharged following tracheostomy. Information acquired from hospital data was enrolled. The protocol was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04497740. RESULTS: Twenty-six neonates with median 27.5 weeks gestational age and birth weight 885 gr were enrolled in the study. The mean opening time for tracheostomy was 54 ± 24 days, and the postmenstrual age (PMA) was 36 ± 3 weeks. The mean time to closure of tracheostomy in newborns with a tracheostomy was 387 ± 164 days. The duration of accidental decannulation developed as an early complication in 8 patients was mean 11 ± 8 days. Aspiration pneumonia in 2, subglottic stenosis in 5, accidental decannulation in 2, suprastomal collapse in 7, tracheocutaneous fistula in 8 and granulation tissue in 2 patients were found to be late complications, which occurred within median 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: If there is no evidence that breathing has improved and the patient is still using a mechanical ventilator at high pressures and high oxygen concentration, a tracheostomy placement should be considered within two months.

Effect of prostaglandin-E1 treatment on pyloric wall thickness in newborns with ductal-dependent critical congenital heart diseases.

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is used in the medical treatment of ductal-dependent critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in neonates. Apnea/bradycardia, hypotension, hypokalemia, and fever are the most important side effects of PGE1. Moreover, gastric outlet obstruction has been reported in a few case reports. A prospective study was conducted to investigate the effect of PGE1 treatment on pyloric wall thickness in newborns with congenital heart diseases. METHODS: A total of 22 newborns with ductal-dependent CCHD having PGE1 infusion longer than a week were included in this study. Ultrasonographic measurements were performed before and one week after the PGE1 infusion to evaluate the pyloric thickness and length. The protocol was registered with ClinicalTrials.govidentifier NCT04496050. RESULTS: A total of 22 neonates with mean gestational age 38 ± 1.8 weeks and birth weight 3105 ± 611 gr were enrolled in the study. The median time of the second ultrasound was seven days. The median cumulative dose of PGE1 given during this period was 108 mcg/kg/min. There was a statistically significant increase in post-treatment pyloric thickness and length compared to pre-treatment measurements (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). None of the patients with increased thickness and pyloric muscle length presented any symptoms. CONCLUSION: PGE1 treatment significantly increased the pyloric thickness and length after at least one-week treatment. PGE1 with its action mechanism is likely to cause gastric outlet obstruction, although not exactly pyloric stenosis on the condition used for a long time.

Development and validation of machine learning-based clinical decision support tool for identifying malnutrition in NICU patients.

Hospitalized newborns have an increased risk of malnutrition and, especially preterm infants, often experience malnutrition-related extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR). The aim of this study was to predict the discharge weight and the presence of weight gain at discharge with machine learning (ML) algorithms. The demographic and clinical parameters were used to develop the models using fivefold cross-validation in the software-R with a neonatal nutritional screening tool (NNST). A total of 512 NICU patients were prospectively included in the study. Length of hospital stay (LOS), parenteral nutrition treatment (PN), postnatal age (PNA), surgery, and sodium were the most important variables in predicting the presence of weight gain at discharge with a random forest classification (AUROC:0.847). The AUROC of NNST-Plus, which was improved by adding LOS, PN, PNA, surgery, and sodium to NNST, increased by 16.5%. In addition, weight at admission, LOS, gestation-adjusted age at admission (> 40 weeks), sex, gestational age, birth weight, PNA, SGA, complications of labor and delivery, multiple birth, serum creatinine, and PN treatment were the most important variables in predicting discharge weight with an elastic net regression (R2 = 0.748). This is the first study on the early prediction of EUGR with promising clinical performance based on ML algorithms. It is estimated that the incidence of EUGR can be improved with the implementation of this ML-based web tool ( http://www.softmed.hacettepe.edu.tr/NEO-DEER/ ) in clinical practice.

Long-term follow-up of patients after acute kidney injury in the neonatal period: abnormal ambulatory blood pressure findings.

BACKGROUND: Data on the long-term effects of neonatal acute kidney injury (AKI) are limited. METHODS: We invited 302 children who had neonatal AKI and survived to hospital discharge; out of 95 patients who agreed to participate in the study, 23 cases were excluded due to primary kidney, cardiac, or metabolic diseases. KDIGO definition was used to define AKI. When a newborn had no previous serum creatinine, AKI was defined as serum creatinine above the mean plus two standard deviations (SD) (or above 97.5th percentile) according to gestational age, weight, and postnatal age. Clinical and laboratory features in the neonatal AKI period were recorded for 72 cases; at long-term evaluation (2-12 years), kidney function tests with glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by the Schwartz formula, microalbuminuria, office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and kidney ultrasonography were performed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients (58%) had stage I AKI during the neonatal period. Mean age at long-term evaluation was 6.8 ± 2.9 years (range: 2.3-12.0); mean eGFR was 152.3 ± 26.5 ml/min/1.73 m2. Office hypertension (systolic and/or diastolic BP ≥ 95th percentile), microalbuminuria (> 30 mg/g creatinine), and hyperfiltration (> 187 ml/min/1.73 m2) were present in 13.0%, 12.7%, and 9.7% of patients, respectively. ABPM was performed on 27 patients, 18.5% had hypertension, and 40.7% were non-dippers; 48.1% had abnormal findings. Female sex was associated with microalbuminuria; low birth weight (< 1,500 g) and low gestational age (< 32 weeks) were associated with hypertension by ABPM. Twenty-three patients (33.8%) had at least one sign of microalbuminuria, office hypertension, or hyperfiltration. Among 27 patients who had ABPM, 16 (59.3%) had at least one sign of microalbuminuria, abnormal ABPM (hypertension and/or non-dipping), or hyperfiltration. CONCLUSION: Even children who experienced stage 1 and 2 neonatal AKI are at risk for subclinical kidney dysfunction. Non-dipping is seen in four out of 10 children. Long-term follow-up of these patients is necessary.

Lung ultrasonography decreases radiation exposure in newborns with respiratory distress: a retrospective cohort study.

Chest X-ray (CXR) is commonly used as a first-line imaging method to determine the cause of respiratory distress in NICUs. The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess the decrease in the number of CXRs performed due to the use of lung ultrasonography on the first day of life for newborns with respiratory distress. Infants who were admitted to the NICU on the first day of life due to respiratory distress were enrolled in this study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04722016) and divided into two groups: the study group (n = 104) included patients born between January 2019 and June 2020, and the historical control group (n = 73) included patients born between June 2017 and December 2018. As a first-line technique for lung imaging, only CXR had been used in the historical control group, whereas ultrasound had been preferred in the study group. The radiation dose to the newborns and the number of CXRs performed in the first day of life were compared between the two groups. Significant reductions in the number of CXRs performed and radiation exposure were observed in the study group. The radiation dose decreased from 5.54 to 4.47 µGy per baby when LUS was routinely used. The proportion of patients who underwent CXR decreased from 100 to 71.2%.Conclusion: We observed that using lung ultrasonography as a first-line evaluation method in neonates with respiratory distress decreased both the number of CXRs performed and radiation exposure. What is Known: • Chest X-ray is commonly used as a first line imaging method to diagnose the reason of respiratory distress in NICUs. • Lung ultrasound is a new diagnostic tool for lung imaging. What is New: • With the use of lung ultrasonography, radiation exposure of both newborns and healthcare workers can be reduced. • This retrospective study revealed that most of the babies with respiratory distress were treated without CXR.

Impact of preterm birth on the cellular characteristics of neonatal buccal cells.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the impact of preterm birth on the cytological, cytomorphometrical, and nuclear parameters of neonatal buccal smears. METHODS: This study consisted of Early Preterm Neonates (EPN; ≤34th gestational week [gw]; n = 36), Late Preterm Neonates (LPN; 34th to <37th gw; n = 46), and Term Neonates (control; ≥37th gw; n = 56). Cytological evaluation and buccal cytome assay were performed using Papanicolaou and Feulgen methods, respectively. RESULTS: Cytological evaluation demonstrated that smear background was cleaner (P < .05) and there were less macrophages in the control group (P < .001). Cyto-morphometric analysis showed that the measurements of nuclear diameter, nuclear area, and nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio were higher in the preterm (EPN and LPN) versus the control groups (P = .016, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). We also demonstrated that staining intensity of the nucleus and cytoplasm were less intense in the EPN and LPN groups (P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference between the EPN and LPN groups for any parameters (P > .05). Buccal cytome assay showed that nuclear buds were more prevalent in term newborns compared to preterm neonates (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Morphological and cytological properties of neonatal buccal cells are influenced by preterm birth status, and buccal smears may be used as a tool to detect biological markers of neonatal health problems.

The clinical and radiological course of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in twins treated with mesenchymal stem cells and followed up using lung ultrasonography.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic lung disease that develops in low-birth-weight infants as a result of mechanical ventilation and oxygen toxicity in the early neonatal period. In these patients, mechanical ventilation and oxygen support are needed for a long time. We already use antenatal steroid, ventilation techniques with minimal baro/volutrauma, postnatal steroid, and vitamin A to prevent the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Mesenchymal stem cell treatment is another way to reduce or stop the pathophysiologic pathways in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Herein, we present mesenchymal stem cell treatment and its outcomes in twins who were born with a gestational age of 26 weeks and diagnosed as having bronchopulmonary dysplasia (the female twin was born with a birth weight of 750 g and the male twin was born with a birth weight of 930 g). These patients were followed up with clinical findings, chest radiography, and lung ultrasonography.

Is serum procalcitonin level a reliable indicator in early diagnosis of congenital pneumonia?

Bozkaya D, Yigit S, Yurdakök M. Is serum procalcitonin level a reliable indicator in early diagnosis of congenital pneumonia? Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 34-39. The clinical signs in congenital pneumonia mimic other conditions like transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Differential diagnosis is difficult since laboratory findings have limited value. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an important and widely studied marker of infection. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of PCT in newborn patients hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with the diagnosis of congenital pneumonia. The infants with respiratory distress who were born at Hacettepe University between 2005-2015 and hospitalized in the NICU were included in the study. A total of 200 newborn infants; 54 (27%) infants with congenital pneumonia (Group-1), 42 (21%) infants with TTN (Group-2), 40 (20%) infants with RDS (Group-3) and 64 (32%) healthy infants (group-4), were included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, sampling time for PCT and CRP and the characteristics of the mother (p > 0.05). Mean serum PCT level was higher in the congenital pneumonia group than in the other groups (p < 0.001). Result of this study shows that procalcitonin is an important early marker in the diagnosis of congenital pneumonia.

Non-immune hydrops fetalis: A retrospective analysis of 151 autopsies performed at a single center.

Kayki G, Güçer S, Akçören Z, Orhan D, Talim B, Yurdakök M, Yigit S, Boduroglu OK, Utine GE, Örgül G, Beksac MS. Non-immune hydrops fetalis: A retrospective analysis of 151 autopsies performed at a single center. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60: 471-477. We retrospectively evaluated autopsies performed on 151 non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) cases to determine the etiology and pathological findings. Further, cases identified between 1980 and 2004 were compared with those identified between 2005 and 2015 to investigate the improvement of diagnostic performance of our institution. The mean gestational age during the fetal autopsy was 25 weeks. There were 30 live-born infants in the study group. The etiology of NIHF could be determined in 91 cases (60.3%), while it remained undefined in remaining 60 cases. The most commonly associated pathological conditions were cardiovascular malformations (11.3%), followed by chromosomal abnormalities (9.3%). Prior to 20th gestation week, genetic anomalies and cystic hygromas were the most common etiological factors, and after 30 weeks of gestation, cardiac abnormalities were found to be the most common causes. With time, the rate of undefined cases decreased from 48.4% to 33.75%. NIHF is a complex medical condition necessitating a multidisciplinary management approach. Progress in molecular genetics and imaging techniques is expected to improve diagnostic performance for rapid and better identification.

Normoblastemia multinuclear en un recién nacido secundaria a hipoxia / Multinucleated normoblastemia in a newborn secondary to hypoxia

Es posible detectar normoblastos en los frotis de sangre periférica de los recién nacidos. En general, la cantidad de normoblastos por cada 100 leucocitos está en el intervalo de 0 a 10. Se observan con más frecuencia de lo usual ante una situación de hipoxia porque la hipoxia intrauterina aumenta la producción de eritrocitos. Sin embargo, no se había informado antes un caso de normoblastos multinucleados en un recién nacido a causa de la hipoxia. Presentamos el caso de un recién nacido con normoblastos multinucleados secundarios a hipoxia intrauterina. Este caso es importante porque es la primera vez que se han detectado normoblastos multinucleados en el frotis de sangre periférica de un recién nacido hipóxico.

Normoblasts may be seen in peripheral blood smear of newborns. The number of normoblasts per 100 white blood cells is generally in the range of 0-10.They can be seen more common than usual in hypoxic condition, because intrauterine hypoxia increases the production of red blood cells. However, multinucleated normoblasts in a newborn caused by hypoxia haven't been reported before. We present a newborn with multinucleated normoblasts secondary to intrauterine hypoxia. This case is important; because it is the first time multinucleated normoblasts in peripheral blood smear of a hypoxic newborn has been detected.

Epidermolysis Bullosa with Pyloric Atresia and Aplasia Cutis in a Newborn Due to Homozygous Mutation in ITGB4.

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia (EB-PA) is an autosomal recessive disorder due to mutations in ITGA6 and/or ITGB4, resulting in altered expression of α6ß4 integrin. EB-PA can also occur with aplasia cutis. CASE REPORT: We present a newborn with EB-PA and aplasia cutis, born of consanguineous parents, with a homozygous c.3793+1G>A mutation affecting ITGB4, previously described only in the heterozygous state with other mutations. CONCLUSION: The previously unreported homozygous c.3793+1G>A mutation affecting ITGB4 causes a severe form of junctional epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia and aplasia cutis.

Copper, zinc and iron levels in premature infants following red blood cell transfusion.

This study aimed to investigate effect of erythrocyte suspension (ES) transfusion on Cu, Zn, and Fe levels. It was conducted on 53 premature infants who were admitted to Hacettepe Hospital and received EST for first time. Blood samples were drawn before and 96h after ES transfusion to determine Cu, Zn, and Fe levels in plasma and/or erythrocytes. The mean plasma Cu levels were 99±3µg/dl and 113±3µg/dl; Zn levels were 105±2µg/dl and 115±23µg/dl; mean plasma Fe level was 58.1±19.4 and 75.2±25.4µg/dl and mean erythrocyte Fe level was 4182±2314µg/ml and 7009±5228µg/ml, before and after ES transfusion. The differences between before and after ES transfusion in Cu, Zn and Fe levels were significant. Correlation between plasma and erythrocyte Fe levels was significant both before and after ES transfusion. Though Fe overload is a major cause of morbidity/mortality after ES transfusion, alterations in trace elements should also be considered when transfusing blood to infants and children.

Foetal and neonatal intracranial haemorrhage in term newborn infants: Hacettepe University experience.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, causes and clinical management of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) diagnosed during foetal life or in the first month of life in term neonates with a discussion of the role of haematological risk factors. This study included term neonates (gestational age 37-42 weeks) with ICH diagnosed, treated and followed up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, between January 1994 and January 2014. Medical follow-up was obtained retrospectively from hospital files and prospectively from telephonic interviews and/or clinical visits. During the study period, 16 term neonates were identified as having ICH in our hospital. In six (37.5%) neonates, ICH was diagnosed during foetal life by obstetric ultrasonography, and in 10 (62.5%) neonates, it has been diagnosed after birth. Haemorrhage types included intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) in eight (50.0%), intraparenchymal haemorrhage in six (37.5%), subarachnoid haemorrhage in one (6.2%) and subdural haemorrhage in one (6.2%) neonate. IVH was the most common (n = 5/6, 83.3%) haemorrhage type among neonates diagnosed during foetal life. Overall, haemorrhage severity was determined as mild in three (18.7%) neonates, moderate in three (18.75%) neonates and severe in 10 (62.5%) neonates. During follow-up, one infant was diagnosed as afibrinogenemia, one diagnosed as infantile spasm, one cystic fibrosis, one orofaciodigital syndrome and the other diagnosed as Friedrich ataxia. Detailed haematological investigation and search for other underlying diseases are very important to identify the reason of ICH in term neonates. Furthermore, early diagnosis, close monitoring and prompt surgical interventions are significant factors to reduce disabilities.

Efficacy of new leukocyte parameters versus serum C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and interleukin-6 in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the efficacy of the new leukocyte parameters mean neutrophil and monocyte volume (MNV, MMV), conductivity (MNC, MMC), scattering (MNS, MMS) and volume distribution width (NDW, MDW) with serum C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PC) and interleukin (IL)-6 in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. METHODS: A total of 227 newborns (132 boys, 95 girls) were analyzed. There were 116 infants in the sepsis group (proven sepsis, n = 40; clinical sepsis, n = 76) and 111 in the control group. Venous blood samples were collected from infants at the time of diagnosis and complete blood count, peripheral blood smear, blood cultures, CRP, PC, IL-6 and MNV, MMV, MNC, MMC, MNS, MMS, NDW, and MDW were analyzed. RESULTS: MNV, NDW, MMV and, MDW were higher in infants with sepsis than in controls (P < 0.05 for all). MNS was lower in the patients with sepsis (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference between the sepsis and control groups in terms of MNC, MMC and MMS. CONCLUSION: Although the predictive value of leukocyte parameters including neutrophil and monocyte volume, conductivity, scattering and volume distribution width in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis was lower than that of CRP, PC and IL-6, some of these new parameters may be useful in the differential diagnosis of newborn sepsis, along with the other screening tools. In particular, MNV seems to be the most useful parameter with the highest specificity; also, the importance of PC in the diagnosis of early onset sepsis was confirmed.

Serum prohepcidin levels in premature newborns with oxygen radical diseases.

This study aimed to investigate the prohepcidin levels in premature newborns with oxygen radical diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity and necrotizing enterocolitis and to compare these levels with those of healthy premature newborns. Eighty premature infants (25-34 weeks gestational age) were enrolled. The patient group was composed of 38 premature babies with oxygen radical diseases, and the control group consisted of 42 healthy premature newborns. Complete blood count, serum iron and ferritin concentrations, iron-binding capacity (IBC), transferrin and prohepcidin levels were measured. The mean ferritin and prohepcidin levels were higher in the patient group than in the control group (p = 0.038 and p = 0.022, respectively). No significant correlations were found between serum prohepcidin levels and iron parameters. We believe that this finding will contribute to a greater understanding of the etiopathogenesis of oxygen radical diseases. There is a need for future studies to explore the link between underlying inflammatory mechanisms and hepcidin in oxygen radical diseases.

A novel mutation in protein C gene (PROC) causing severe phenotype in neonatal period.

Homozygous protein C deficiency is among rare causes of thrombophilia. Herein, we present a neonate with purpura fulminans, disseminated intravascular coagulation and severe intracranial hemorrhage who was found to have plasma protein C level of 4%. The molecular work-up revealed a novel homozygous mutation of T903C (amino acid position Leu 270 Pro) located in a catalytic domain region of PROC gene. Asymptomatic course in patients with low but measurable levels of protein C levels has been reported, which is different than observed in our patient who had a very severe course despite plasma protein C level of 4%.

Toxic metals in breast milk samples from Ankara, Turkey: assessment of lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic levels.

Toxic metals are one of the significant groups of chemical contaminants that humans are exposed to by oral, inhalation, and dermal routes. Exposure to these chemicals begins with intrauterine life and continues during lactation period at the first years of life. Breastfeeding has a much more special place than other nutrition options for infants. However, when possibility of contaminant transfer by breast milk is considered, its safety and quality is essential. Regarding infant and mother health and limited number of information on this field in Turkey, measuring contamination levels in breast milk is important. Therefore, in the present study, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As) levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in 64 breast milk samples obtained from mothers from Ankara, Turkey. Pb and Ni levels in breast milk samples were found to be 391.45±269.01 µg/l and 43.94±33.82 µg/l (mean ± SD), respectively. Cd was found only in one of 64 samples, and the level was 4.62 µg/l. As level was below the limit of quantification (LOQ, 7.6 µg/l) in all samples. These findings will accurately direct strategies and solutions of protection against contaminants in order to reduce their levels in biological fluids.

Myocardial performance index by tissue Doppler in bronchopulmonary dysplasia survivors.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) survivors from the surfactant era were evaluated by echocardiography in a few studies and no significant differences were found between BPD and non-BPD children. In this study, we evaluated these children with myocardial performance index (MPI), which was obtained by tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) in addition to the conventional methods. Fifteen children with BPD who did not have any cardiopulmonary symptoms at the time of the study were examined. All children were studied with M-mode, two-dimensional and DE. Pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PAPs) were estimated from tricuspid regurgitant velocity, and MPI for both ventricles were obtained by TDE. Results were compared with those of term-born, age- and sex-matched control children. While the variables obtained by M-mode and DE did not differ between the groups, the right and left ventricular MPI were found to be significantly higher in the BPD group compared with the control group (mean right ventricular MPI 0.48 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.41 +/- 0.05; mean left ventricular MPI 0.47 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.39 +/- 0.06). In addition, mean PAPs values of the patients were found to be significantly higher than those of the controls (30.4 +/- 6.9 mmHg vs. 23.3 +/- 5.3 mmHg), and there was a positive correlation between PAPs and right ventricular MPI values in the BPD group (r = 0.5). While routine echocardiographic examinations revealed no difference between the groups, MPI measurements by TDE technique yielded significantly higher values in the BPD group. To this extent, our study is the first to show that survivors of BPD may, in fact, have a subclinical ventricular dysfunction.

Procalcitonin versus CRP as an early indicator of fetal infection in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in neonates who were born after preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and compare these with interleukin-6 (IL-6). The study involved 74 preterm neonates who were born after PPROM. IL-6, CRP, complete blood count and leukocyte ratios, and PCT levels were measured in the 1st day of life, and CRP, PCT, and blood counts were repeated on the 3rd day of life. Seventy-four infants with PPROM were divided into two groups according to the development of sepsis and infection (Group 1: sepsis, n = 32; Group 2: no sepsis, n = 42). There were no significant differences between these groups with respect to gestational age, birthweight and duration of membrane rupture. There were significant differences between the two groups in the 1st day CRP (Group 1: 0.85 -/+ 1.36 mg/dl, Group 2: 0.23 +/- 0.25 mg/dl; p = 0.016), 1st day PCT (Group 1: 7.2 +/- 7.6 ng/ml, Group 2, 1.6 +/- 4.0 ng/ml; p < 0.001), and 3rd day PCT (Group 1: 9.01 +/-11.5 ng/ml, Group 2: 1.34 +/- 1.35 ng/ml; p = 0.001) and IL-6 (Group 1: 80.7 +/- 67.2 pg/ml, Group 2: 3.4 +/- 3.5 ng/ml; p < 0.001) levels. CRP levels were not significantly different between Group 1 (1.2 +/- 1.7 mg/dl) and Group 2 (0.58 +/- 1.1 mg/dl) on the 3rd day of life (p=0.059). CRP levels on the 1st day of life had a cut-off value of 0.72 mg/dl with a sensitivity and specificity of 56% and 58%, respectively. CRP levels on the 3rd day had a cut-off level of 0.78 mg/dl with 60% sensitivity and 63% specificity. PCT levels had a cut-off level of 1.74 ng/ml with 76% sensitivity and 85% specificity on the 1st day of life, and of 1.8 with 89% sensitivity and 86% specificity on the 3rd day of life. Statistical analysis revealed that the cut-off value of 7.6 pg/ml for IL-6 had a 93% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity. Interleukin (IL)-6 is the most reliable marker for the detection of early-onset sepsis in preterm neonates with PPROM. Early PCT levels seemed to be more sensitive than early CRP in this population.